The IPL 2024 auction witnessed a fierce bidding war between Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) for the World Cup-winning Australian captain, Pat Cummins. The intense back-and-forth between the two franchises captivated those present in the auction room, with SRH ultimately securing Cummins for a whooping Rs 20.5 Cr.
Pat Cummins, a renowned fast bowler, had previously been associated with Delhi Capitals and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). KKR had signed him for a then-record Rs 15.5 crore in the 2020 auction. After being released, the franchise bought him back for nearly a million dollars (Rs 7.25 crore) in the subsequent seasons.
WOAH 🤯🤯
Pat Cummins is SOLD to Sunrisers Hyderabad 🧡 for a whopping INR 20.5 Crore 🔥🔥
Congratulations to the @SunRisers 🙌#IPLAuction | #IPL
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) December 19, 2023
Cummins’ remarkable 14-ball half-century for KKR against Mumbai Indians in 2022 stands as the joint second-fastest fifty in IPL history. In his 42 IPL appearances, Cummins has contributed significantly with 45 wickets at an economy rate of 8.54 and has also scored 359 runs.
Beyond his IPL feats, Cummins had an illustrious year in international cricket, leading Australia to victory in the World Test Championship, retaining the Ashes in England, and winning the ODI World Cup against India.
Sunrisers Hyderabad began the auction with a substantial purse of Rs 34 crore, but after securing signings like Cummins, Travis Head, and Wanindu Hasaranga, the franchise was left with Rs 5.2 crore. This highlights the strategic decisions and financial considerations that teams navigate during the IPL auction to build a competitive squad.
This year is sure going to be a memorable year for Pat Cummins as first he won the ODI Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 and now became the most expensive player ever.
